The Autumn Defense came to Jammin’ Java in Vienna last week armed with a new album (their third full length) and a full band to back up leading duo John Stirratt and Pat Sansone of Wilco. And on a rainy, nasty Thursday night in the suburbs, a strong crowd of serious fans turned out to hear a solid set of pop songs driven by acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies.

Let’s hope there were no diabetics in the house. These well-crafted tunes, showing off a serious Laurel Canyon fetish, are so chock full of sweetness it’s almost dangerous. Stiratt and Sansone were particular about their vocal monitors, and for good reason: when the songs reach the chorus, all of the sudden the pair’s voices rise together in wonderful harmony. If it’s this interaction and the interplay of their warmly plucked and strummed acoustic guitars that defines the band’s sound, then it’s the quality of their songwriting that determines whether or not they succeed.